Steve Geller

Fantasy Football Week 1: Sit 'Em, Start 'Em

by Steve Geller, Steve@wwl.com,posted Sep 7 2012 8:52AM

SIT EM

Adrian Peterson RB, Minnesota Vikings
As if fantasy owners weren't concerned enough about Peterson coming back from a torn ACL, they had to hear Vikings Head Coach Leslie Frazier tell reporters that he is going to wait until Sunday to determine whether the star running back will play against Jacksonville.

Even if Peterson does play in this game, I can't imagine the Vikings will cut him loose right out of the gate with 20-25 carries. Eventually he will be fine and back to his normal tricks, but for right now, you should turn to your bench to find a running back. Hopefully you drafted Toby Gerithart as a handcuff to AP.

Peyton Manning QB, Denver Broncos
After a year away, fantasy owners finally get back arguably the most reliable quarterback in fantasy football for the last decade. But unlike previous years, when you could lock him in for 4,000 yards and 30 touchdowns, no one knows which Peyton Manning they are getting.

Another problem is the team he is going up against. The Pittsburgh Steelers boast one of the fastest, most ferocious attacking defensive teams in the NFL. They are going to send everything and the kitchen sink after him until he proves he can beat them.

San Francisco 49ers Defense
The strength of the Niners is still going to be the defense this year. They have one of the best defensive front sevens in the NFL and should easily end up as one of the five best fantasy defenses by the end of the season.

Much like Manning against the Steelers, however, there just isn't a lot to like about San Fran going up against Aaron Rodgers and the "Pack Attack."

If there is one weakness to the 49ers defense, it is in the secondary. It was great at creating turnovers last season, but it finished in the middle of the pack with 231 yards allowed through the air. Rodgers is so good moving around and has so many weapons at his disposal that he could, and probably will, exploit the defense.

START EM

Darren McFadden RB, Oakland Raiders
For no other reason than he'll be healthy when the game starts. McFadden's a game breaker, a homerun hitter, a dream for every fantasy owner who has him on their roster when he's healthy. You have to start him against a Chargers D that isn't all that stingy to opposing offenses.

Andre Johnson WR, Houston Texans
Andre is a freak, he'll jump over you and run wild and then tear a hamstring all in the matter of seconds. He's another one of those players that when healthy, you can always rely on this guy.

Nobody from Miami's defense scares me. There's a future with new Coach Joe Philbin for the Fins but until the talent follows suit, this team is going to have lots of ups and downs. Expect at least one TD and at least 100 yards receiving from Johnson on Sunday.

Vernon Davis TE, San Francisco 49ers
OK, so Jimmy Graham and Rob GRONKowski will be beasts at tight end again, but what is lost is how Vernon Davis came on strong at the end of last year culminating in that amazing pitch and catch between him and Alex Smith vs. the Saints in the playoffs. The Packers yielded the second most fantasy points to tight ends last year, so he's a very strong play in this game.

Pick up & play of the week

Buffalo Bills Defense

I really don't need to sell you on this one, just look at the Bill's opponent. J-E-T-S...Suck Suck Suck. Sanchez and Tebow looked awful in the preseason, amassing a whopping zero TDs from both during the preseason. Add to that "Super" Mario Williams to a revamped Bills, and I like this pickup if your other defense has an unfavorable match-up

I like what you wrote about defense. I heard after the draft that it's not always best to pick the statistical better defense, but to instead choose a defense that is in a terrible division.
I currently have Detroits defense. Should I pick upsay a Buffalo defense instead?

09/07/2012 2:37PM

stick with Detriot

Lions at home vs the Rams = good point for you. Just recommending the Bills for someone in a pinch whose defense might not have a good match-up

09/08/2012 6:16AM

Rb dilemma.....

Which 2 should I start? Ryan Williams or Beanie Wells or Doug Martin? TIA

09/08/2012 6:39AM

Tia

Look for Ryan Williams to get more carries since it was just revealed that Wells is dealing with a hamstring.
Doug Martin though has risen up the Bucs depth chart and is their #1 guy right now.
I'd easily start Martin out of the three

09/08/2012 5:07PM

Flex

Gore or Tate?

09/08/2012 11:08PM

gore / tate

if you mean Ben Tate start him...arian foster is not 100% and Tate should see the bulk of the carries. Gore just isn't the back he used to be

09/09/2012 10:05AM

Bowe, Garcon, Amendola, and Nate Washington

Which 2 should I start? I also have a flex position to fill so I could possibly use 3 of them, but I also have Ben Tate on my bench and Foster might not have the same work load.